CA2783192A1 - Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter and method - Google Patents
Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2783192A1 CA2783192A1 CA2783192A CA2783192A CA2783192A1 CA 2783192 A1 CA2783192 A1 CA 2783192A1 CA 2783192 A CA2783192 A CA 2783192A CA 2783192 A CA2783192 A CA 2783192A CA 2783192 A1 CA2783192 A1 CA 2783192A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pipe
- transducer
- interior
- upstream
- face
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
- G01F1/667—Arrangements of transducers for ultrasonic flowmeters; Circuits for operating ultrasonic flowmeters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
- G01F1/662—Constructional details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
- G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
- Y10T137/0324—With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/8376—Combined
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe includes an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves. The transducer includes a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipes interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipes interior can be measured. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe.
Description
1 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Ultrasonic Transducer, Flow Meter and Method CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
12/653,913, entitled "Ultrasonic Transducer, Flow Meter and Method", filed on December 19, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Ultrasonic Transducer, Flow Meter and Method CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
12/653,913, entitled "Ultrasonic Transducer, Flow Meter and Method", filed on December 19, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to determining fluid flowrate in a pipe using an ultrasonic transducer. (As used herein, references to the "present invention"
or "invention"
relate to exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by the appended claims.) More specifically, the present invention is related to determining fluid flowrate in a pipe using an ultrasonic transducer where the face of the transducer has at a portion which is shaped such that it causes the plane waves generated by the transducer to be directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
or "invention"
relate to exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by the appended claims.) More specifically, the present invention is related to determining fluid flowrate in a pipe using an ultrasonic transducer where the face of the transducer has at a portion which is shaped such that it causes the plane waves generated by the transducer to be directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention. The following discussion is'intended to provide information to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that statements in the following discussion are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
4 PCT/US2010/055867 2 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0004] The current invention is applicable for measuring flow rates with ultrasonic transit time technology. (e.g., ultrasonic flow meters, or UFM). The application is specifically developed for a flow meter to monitor chemical injection in subsea oil wells (typically injecting mono-ethylene glycol or MEG). This specific subsea application has flow rates that range from 100 liters/hr to 30,000 liters/hr. For this flow range and product viscosity - the Reynolds Number ranges from laminar flow to fully turbulent flow. This range of Reynolds Number produces velocity profiles that vary from parabolic to nearly flat. As a flow meter, the average velocity (e.g. integral of velocity profile divided by the area) must be measured.
[0004] The current invention is applicable for measuring flow rates with ultrasonic transit time technology. (e.g., ultrasonic flow meters, or UFM). The application is specifically developed for a flow meter to monitor chemical injection in subsea oil wells (typically injecting mono-ethylene glycol or MEG). This specific subsea application has flow rates that range from 100 liters/hr to 30,000 liters/hr. For this flow range and product viscosity - the Reynolds Number ranges from laminar flow to fully turbulent flow. This range of Reynolds Number produces velocity profiles that vary from parabolic to nearly flat. As a flow meter, the average velocity (e.g. integral of velocity profile divided by the area) must be measured.
[0005] The current ultrasonic flow meter arrangement uses in one embodiment two transducers at opposing ends of a pipe/tube where one is upstream from the fluid flow and other is downstream from the fluid flow, both transducers transmit and receive signals. Each transducer generates plane waves into the fluid. The difference in transit times between the upstream and downstream signal is used to calculate the velocity between the two transducers.
This difference in transit time reflects the average fluid velocity projected onto the acoustic path.
This difference in transit time reflects the average fluid velocity projected onto the acoustic path.
[0006] Unless the transducer is larger than the diameter of the pipe/tube, the acoustic path measures a cross section of velocities that represent an area that is less than the full cross section of the pipe/tube. Only if the transducer is larger than the tube itself can the full cross section be measured. A transducer large enough to completely cover the pipe/tube cross section is not always possible or even practical depending upon the pipe/tube size or pressure (e.g., required wall thicknesses). Some UFM have used multiple bounces; but these multiple bounces cannot get the full cross section.
[0007] By measuring the full cross section, velocity profile effects are addressed (for example any distortions due to hydraulics or changes in the velocity profile due to transition from laminar to turbulent).
3 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
3 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention pertains to the measurement of flowing fluid through a pipe. The measurement is performed with a transit time ultrasonic flow meter having transducers that are disposed in alignment with the fluid flow through the pipe. The radiation pattern of the plane waves produced by the transducers propagates through the flowing fluid in the pipe and is used by the flow meter to determine the flowrate of the fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which:
[0010] Figure 1 is a standard design of the present invention.
[0011] Figure 2 is an example of a conical faced transducer.
[0012] Figure 3 shows the calculation of the transducer face angles.
[0013] Figure 4 shows an antenna pattern for transducer shown in figure 2.
[0014] Figure 5a shows an insertion transducer configuration.
[0015] Figure 5b shows an end cap transducer configuration.
[0016] Figure 6 is an example of improved linearity possible by integrating the full cross section.
4 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
4 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0017] Figure 7 shows that change the viscosity from 10 cSt to 20 cSt to 50 cSt has no effect on the linearity, even over a 200:1 Reynolds number range.
[0018] Figure 8 shows linearity insensitivity to hydraulic changes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to figure 2 thereof, there is shown an ultrasonic transducer 10 for a pipe 12. The transducer 10 comprises an ultrasonic source 14 which produces plane waves. The transducer 10 comprises a housing 16 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source 14 disposed in the housing 16 are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's 12 interior wall 26 so a full cross-section of the pipe's 12 interior can be measured. See figure 3. The transducer 10 is a standard transducer 10 available from many suppliers, with the only difference being the face 18 has at least the portion which is shaped, as described above. The shaped portion of the face 18, which in one embodiment was made of stainless steel, causes the plane waves to refract as they propagate according to Snell's law through the face 18 and be directed outward toward the interior wall 26 of the pipe 12. Similarly, upon reception, the plane waves at various angles to the shaped portion of the face 18 are refracted back to an angle that can be captured by the transducer 10 according to Snell's law to produce a signal based on the flow rate, as is well known in the art.
[0020] At least a portion of the face 18 may be a portion of a cone. In one embodiment the face 18 may be conically shaped. A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by Dr ODesired = tan-1 2 2 L [00211 1 + sin Ofa ce CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0022] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, Sin OfQCe Sin Orefract [0023] Cwi=ndow Cftuid [0024] oDosirod = Of ace - orefracr.
[0025] The present invention pertains to a flow meter 20 for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe 12, as shown in figure 1 and figure 5b. The flow meter 20 comprises an upstream ultrasonic transducer 22 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is shaped in communication with the pipe 12 interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer 22 are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. See figure 3.
The flow meter 20 comprises a controller 28 in communication with the upstream transducer 22 which calculates fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior. The calculation of fluid flow rate from the received plane waves is well known in the art. [Refer to Chapter 5 in: Physical Acoustics - Principles and Methods, W. P. Mason and R.
N. Thurston (Editors), Vol. 14, pp. 407-525, Academic Press (1979), incorporated by reference herein].
[0026] The flow meter 20 may include a downstream ultrasonic transducer 24 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer 24 are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured and are received by the upstream transducer 22 which produces an upstream transducer 22 signal. The downstream transducer 24 receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer 22 and provides a downstream transducer 24 signal. The controller 28 is in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers 24 which calculates fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer 22 signal and the downstream transducer 24 signal.
6 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0027] At least a portion of each face 18 may be a portion of a cone. Each face 18 may be conically shaped.
[0028] A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D r ODesired = tarp 2 2 [0029] L + sin Ofa ce =
[0030] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the upstream transducer 22, 51aofQCe S1a8refracr [0031] Cwi-ndow Cf[uid [0032] 'Desired = oface - orefracs .
[0033] The flow meter 20 may include a support 30 that extends from the pipe 12 wall 26 into the pipe 12 interior upon which the upstream transducer 22 is mounted.
See figure 5a.
Figure 9 shows a single support 30. Figure 10 shows a double support 30 and figure 11 shows a cantilevered support 30.
[0034] The present invention pertains to a method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe 12. The method comprises the steps of generating plane waves by an upstream transducer 22 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe 12 interior and positioned so plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
There is the step of calculating fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior with a controller 28 in communication with the upstream transducer 22.
[0035] There can be the steps of generating plane waves with a downstream ultrasonic transducer 24 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved and in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so the plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's 7 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. There can be a step of receiving the plane waves generated by the downstream transducer 24 at the upstream transducer 22 which produces an upstream transducer 22 signal. There can be the step of receiving the plane waves generated by the upstream transducer 22 at the downstream transducer 24 which produces a downstream transducer 24 signal. There can be the step of providing to the controller 28 in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers the upstream and downstream signals. There can be the step of calculating with the controller 28 fluid flowrate from the upstream transducer 22 signal and the downstream transducer 24 signal.
[0036] At least a portion of each face 18 may be a portion of a cone. Each face 18 may be conically shaped. A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D_r Desired = tare-1 2 2 L+sinID r [0037] z face = ;
[0038] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, sinIDface $W.mrefract [0039] Cwi~do,,v Cfiuid [0040] !Desired = oface - orefract .
[0041] In the operation of the invention, one pair of transducers is used to ensonify the full cross section of the measuring tube or pipe. The end result is a time of flight measurement that reflects the full cross section of velocities. This produces a flow meter that is essentially insensitive to changes in viscosity (e.g., Reynolds number) and upstream hydraulics. The present invention uses a transducer 10 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved face 18, and ideally is of a conical shape. The angle of the cone is designed based on the length and size of the measurement tube. The angle of the cone considers refraction (due to Snell's law).
The effect of refraction is computed to be insignificant. This conical face 18 makes the acoustic 8 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
energy radiate out to the sides of the tube from the center of the transducer 10. At the walls, the sound then reflects back to the center. The result is that the flow meter measures the full cross section of the measuring tube.
[0042] The transducers were at opposing ends of the tube. See Figure 1. Figure 1 is a standard design of the present invention. The standard transducer 10 window face 18 (the side facing the fluid) is typically flat. The present invention puts a conical face 18 to refract the sound out to the walls. See Figure 2. Figure 2 is an example of a conical faced transducer 10.
The design of the conical face 18 depends upon the dimensions of the measuring tube and the refraction due to the fluid to transducer 10 face 18 interface (e.g., Snell's law). The following calculation is set out with reference to Figure 3, which also shows an example antenna pattern.
Figure 3 shows the calculation of the transducer 10 face angles.
[0043] A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D _ r 'Desired = tan-1 2 2 L
r [0044] 2 + Sin:Ofa ce [0045] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, SinOfQCe SinOrefract [0046] Ewindour Cftuid [0047] 'Desired = Oface - Orafract .
[0048] The radiation pattern or antenna pattern of the transducer face 18 results in a spreading conical pattern (that is, until it hits the walls, at which point it becomes a focusing cone). The antenna pattern for one transducer 10 built (see Figure 2) is shown in Figure 4. This antenna had 3.5 MHz transducers, a 12.7 mm diameter transducer and the media had sound velocity of 1500 m/s. Figure 4 shows an antenna pattern for transducer 10 shown in figure 2.
9 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0049] The design of flow meters 20 need not be limited to meters that have the transducers at the ends of tubes. The principles can be used in other arrangements - for examples, figure 5a and figure 5b. Figure 5a shows an insertion transducer 10 configuration.
Figure 5b shows an end cap transducer 10 configuration. There are arrangements at which the transducer 10 maybe be along one side or the other that uses a portion of a cone to radiate across the pipe 12 using the opposing side as a reflection source 14.
[0050] An example of the inventions improved linearity is demonstrated in figure 6. The figure shows the real performance improvement possible with the invention. The standard line of sight approach is represented by triangles. This standard meter had a 0.5 inch transducer 10 in a 1.5 inch diameter tube. Figure 6 is an example of improved linearity possible by integrating the full cross section. Figure 7 shows that change the viscosity from 10 cSt to 20 cSt to 50 cSt has no effect on the linearity, even over a 200:1 Reynolds number range.
Figure 8_ shows linearity insensitivity to hydraulic changes. Figure 8 shows that changes in the hydraulics (from a 90 elbow non-planar coupled with the 70 degree elbow, to three non-planar 90 degree elbows to one planar elbow, the linearity is unaffected. The present invention is not limited to a chemical injection meter since the invention solves the velocity profile integration problem.
[0051] Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.
[0022] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, Sin OfQCe Sin Orefract [0023] Cwi=ndow Cftuid [0024] oDosirod = Of ace - orefracr.
[0025] The present invention pertains to a flow meter 20 for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe 12, as shown in figure 1 and figure 5b. The flow meter 20 comprises an upstream ultrasonic transducer 22 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is shaped in communication with the pipe 12 interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer 22 are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. See figure 3.
The flow meter 20 comprises a controller 28 in communication with the upstream transducer 22 which calculates fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior. The calculation of fluid flow rate from the received plane waves is well known in the art. [Refer to Chapter 5 in: Physical Acoustics - Principles and Methods, W. P. Mason and R.
N. Thurston (Editors), Vol. 14, pp. 407-525, Academic Press (1979), incorporated by reference herein].
[0026] The flow meter 20 may include a downstream ultrasonic transducer 24 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer 24 are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured and are received by the upstream transducer 22 which produces an upstream transducer 22 signal. The downstream transducer 24 receives the plane waves from the upstream transducer 22 and provides a downstream transducer 24 signal. The controller 28 is in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers 24 which calculates fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer 22 signal and the downstream transducer 24 signal.
6 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0027] At least a portion of each face 18 may be a portion of a cone. Each face 18 may be conically shaped.
[0028] A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D r ODesired = tarp 2 2 [0029] L + sin Ofa ce =
[0030] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the upstream transducer 22, 51aofQCe S1a8refracr [0031] Cwi-ndow Cf[uid [0032] 'Desired = oface - orefracs .
[0033] The flow meter 20 may include a support 30 that extends from the pipe 12 wall 26 into the pipe 12 interior upon which the upstream transducer 22 is mounted.
See figure 5a.
Figure 9 shows a single support 30. Figure 10 shows a double support 30 and figure 11 shows a cantilevered support 30.
[0034] The present invention pertains to a method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe 12. The method comprises the steps of generating plane waves by an upstream transducer 22 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe 12 interior and positioned so plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
There is the step of calculating fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior with a controller 28 in communication with the upstream transducer 22.
[0035] There can be the steps of generating plane waves with a downstream ultrasonic transducer 24 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved and in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so the plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's 7 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
interior wall 26 and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. There can be a step of receiving the plane waves generated by the downstream transducer 24 at the upstream transducer 22 which produces an upstream transducer 22 signal. There can be the step of receiving the plane waves generated by the upstream transducer 22 at the downstream transducer 24 which produces a downstream transducer 24 signal. There can be the step of providing to the controller 28 in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers the upstream and downstream signals. There can be the step of calculating with the controller 28 fluid flowrate from the upstream transducer 22 signal and the downstream transducer 24 signal.
[0036] At least a portion of each face 18 may be a portion of a cone. Each face 18 may be conically shaped. A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D_r Desired = tare-1 2 2 L+sinID r [0037] z face = ;
[0038] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, sinIDface $W.mrefract [0039] Cwi~do,,v Cfiuid [0040] !Desired = oface - orefract .
[0041] In the operation of the invention, one pair of transducers is used to ensonify the full cross section of the measuring tube or pipe. The end result is a time of flight measurement that reflects the full cross section of velocities. This produces a flow meter that is essentially insensitive to changes in viscosity (e.g., Reynolds number) and upstream hydraulics. The present invention uses a transducer 10 having a face 18 at least a portion of which is curved face 18, and ideally is of a conical shape. The angle of the cone is designed based on the length and size of the measurement tube. The angle of the cone considers refraction (due to Snell's law).
The effect of refraction is computed to be insignificant. This conical face 18 makes the acoustic 8 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
energy radiate out to the sides of the tube from the center of the transducer 10. At the walls, the sound then reflects back to the center. The result is that the flow meter measures the full cross section of the measuring tube.
[0042] The transducers were at opposing ends of the tube. See Figure 1. Figure 1 is a standard design of the present invention. The standard transducer 10 window face 18 (the side facing the fluid) is typically flat. The present invention puts a conical face 18 to refract the sound out to the walls. See Figure 2. Figure 2 is an example of a conical faced transducer 10.
The design of the conical face 18 depends upon the dimensions of the measuring tube and the refraction due to the fluid to transducer 10 face 18 interface (e.g., Snell's law). The following calculation is set out with reference to Figure 3, which also shows an example antenna pattern.
Figure 3 shows the calculation of the transducer 10 face angles.
[0043] A desired angle, cp desired, of the conical shape may be defined by D _ r 'Desired = tan-1 2 2 L
r [0044] 2 + Sin:Ofa ce [0045] where D is the diameter of the pipe 12, L is the length of the pipe 12, r is the radius of the transducer 10, SinOfQCe SinOrefract [0046] Ewindour Cftuid [0047] 'Desired = Oface - Orafract .
[0048] The radiation pattern or antenna pattern of the transducer face 18 results in a spreading conical pattern (that is, until it hits the walls, at which point it becomes a focusing cone). The antenna pattern for one transducer 10 built (see Figure 2) is shown in Figure 4. This antenna had 3.5 MHz transducers, a 12.7 mm diameter transducer and the media had sound velocity of 1500 m/s. Figure 4 shows an antenna pattern for transducer 10 shown in figure 2.
9 CCV/Caldon-031469PCT
[0049] The design of flow meters 20 need not be limited to meters that have the transducers at the ends of tubes. The principles can be used in other arrangements - for examples, figure 5a and figure 5b. Figure 5a shows an insertion transducer 10 configuration.
Figure 5b shows an end cap transducer 10 configuration. There are arrangements at which the transducer 10 maybe be along one side or the other that uses a portion of a cone to radiate across the pipe 12 using the opposing side as a reflection source 14.
[0050] An example of the inventions improved linearity is demonstrated in figure 6. The figure shows the real performance improvement possible with the invention. The standard line of sight approach is represented by triangles. This standard meter had a 0.5 inch transducer 10 in a 1.5 inch diameter tube. Figure 6 is an example of improved linearity possible by integrating the full cross section. Figure 7 shows that change the viscosity from 10 cSt to 20 cSt to 50 cSt has no effect on the linearity, even over a 200:1 Reynolds number range.
Figure 8_ shows linearity insensitivity to hydraulic changes. Figure 8 shows that changes in the hydraulics (from a 90 elbow non-planar coupled with the 70 degree elbow, to three non-planar 90 degree elbows to one planar elbow, the linearity is unaffected. The present invention is not limited to a chemical injection meter since the invention solves the velocity profile integration problem.
[0051] Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.
Claims (15)
1. An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe comprising:
an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves; and a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved/shaped through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves; and a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved/shaped through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured.
2. The transducer of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the face is a portion of a cone.
3. The transducer of claim 2 wherein the face is conically shaped.
4. The transducer of claim 3 wherein a desired angle, .phi. desired, of the conical shape is defined by where D is the diameter of the pipe, L is the length of the pipe, r is the radius of the transducer,
5. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe comprising:
an upstream ultrasonic transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured; and a controller in communication with the upstream transducer which calculates fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior.
an upstream ultrasonic transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the upstream transducer are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured; and a controller in communication with the upstream transducer which calculates fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior.
6. The flow meter as described in claim 5 including a downstream ultrasonic transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved/shaped in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so plane waves generated by the downstream transducer are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured and are received by the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal, the downstream transducer receiving the plane waves from the upstream transducer and providing a downstream transducer signal, the controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers which calculates fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal.
7. The flow meter of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of each face is a portion of a cone
8. The flow meter of claim 7 wherein each face is conically shaped.
9. The flow meter of claim 8 wherein a desired angle, .phi. desired, of the conical shape is defined by where D is the diameter of the pipe, L is the length of the pipe, r is the radius of the upstream transducer,
10. The flow meter of claim 9 including a support that extends from the pipe wall into the pipe interior upon which the upstream transducer is mounted.
11. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe comprising the steps of:
generating plane waves by an upstream transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe interior and positioned so plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured; and calculating fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior with a controller in communication with the upstream transducer.
generating plane waves by an upstream transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe interior and positioned so plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured; and calculating fluid flow rate from the plane waves that have propagated along the pipe's interior with a controller in communication with the upstream transducer.
12. the method as described in claim 11 including the steps of generating plane waves with a downstream ultrasonic transducer having a face at least a portion of which is curved in communication with the pipe's interior and positioned so the plane waves are directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall and propagate along the pipe's interior so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured;
receiving the plane waves generated by the downstream transducer at the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal;
receiving the plane waves generated by the upstream transducer at the downstream transducer which produces a downstream transducer signal;
providing to the controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers the upstream and downstream signals; and calculating with the controller fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal.
receiving the plane waves generated by the downstream transducer at the upstream transducer which produces an upstream transducer signal;
receiving the plane waves generated by the upstream transducer at the downstream transducer which produces a downstream transducer signal;
providing to the controller in communication with the upstream and downstream transducers the upstream and downstream signals; and calculating with the controller fluid flow rate from the upstream transducer signal and the downstream transducer signal.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of each face is a portion of a cone.
14. The flow meter of claim 13 wherein each face is conically shaped.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein a desired angle, .PHI. desired, of the conical shape is defined by where D is the diameter of the pipe, L is the length of the pipe, r is the radius of the transducer,
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2922182A CA2922182C (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter, and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/653,913 | 2009-12-19 | ||
| US12/653,913 US8181536B2 (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2009-12-19 | Ultrasonic Flow Meter including a transducer having conical face |
| PCT/US2010/055867 WO2011075234A1 (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Ultrasonic transducer, flow meter and method |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2922182A Division CA2922182C (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter, and method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2783192A1 true CA2783192A1 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
| CA2783192C CA2783192C (en) | 2016-06-07 |
Family
ID=43759913
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2922182A Active CA2922182C (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter, and method |
| CA2783192A Active CA2783192C (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter and method |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2922182A Active CA2922182C (en) | 2009-12-19 | 2010-11-08 | Conical-faced ultrasonic transducer, flow meter, and method |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US8181536B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP2513611B1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR101870461B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN102713529B (en) |
| BR (1) | BR112012014970B1 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2922182C (en) |
| TW (1) | TW201142249A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2011075234A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102011079250A1 (en) * | 2011-07-15 | 2013-01-17 | Endress + Hauser Flowtec Ag | Ultrasonic flowmeter |
| JP6689582B2 (en) * | 2014-07-25 | 2020-04-28 | 矢崎エナジーシステム株式会社 | Ultrasonic gas meter |
| US9996089B2 (en) | 2015-09-21 | 2018-06-12 | Blue-White Industries, Ltd. | Flow sensor devices and systems |
| US11150118B2 (en) | 2016-09-23 | 2021-10-19 | Blue-White Industries, Ltd. | Flow sensor devices and systems |
| CN106595785B (en) * | 2017-01-23 | 2019-01-01 | 青岛海威茨仪表有限公司 | A kind of correlation ultrasonic flow meter with small aperture |
| US20180217102A1 (en) * | 2017-01-30 | 2018-08-02 | Jared Negussie Wolde Michael | Ultrasonic flow meter configured to detect impurities in a fluid |
| SE542734C2 (en) * | 2019-01-30 | 2020-06-30 | Labtrino Ab | Coupling member for clamp on flow metering |
| CN109882742B (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2023-12-26 | 屋联智能(山东)集团股份有限公司 | Intelligent water leakage protection device and circulating water protection system |
| US11639863B2 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2023-05-02 | Blue-White Industries, Ltd. | Flow sensor devices and systems |
| US11711310B2 (en) | 2019-09-18 | 2023-07-25 | Tweenznet Ltd. | System and method for determining a network performance property in at least one network |
| US20210325216A1 (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2021-10-21 | Spire Metering Technology LLC | Ultrasonic flow meter |
| US11885655B2 (en) * | 2020-08-07 | 2024-01-30 | Woodward, Inc. | Ultrasonic flow meter having flow conditioning arrangements for flow controlling in a linear fluid conduit |
| CN117337379A (en) | 2021-03-17 | 2024-01-02 | 伍德沃德有限公司 | Ultrasonic mass fuel flowmeter |
Family Cites Families (31)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1140922A (en) * | 1955-12-17 | 1957-08-21 | France Etat | Improvements in methods and apparatus for measuring the propagation speed of waves, especially sound waves |
| US3741014A (en) * | 1970-06-25 | 1973-06-26 | Tokyo Keiki Kk | Ultrasonic current meter |
| US4031757A (en) * | 1975-12-08 | 1977-06-28 | J-Tec Associates, Incorporated | Sonic transducer surfaces |
| US4142412A (en) * | 1976-05-12 | 1979-03-06 | Sutures Inc. | Doppler flow meter and method |
| US4237729A (en) * | 1978-06-02 | 1980-12-09 | Howmedica, Inc. | Doppler flow meter |
| US4259870A (en) * | 1979-02-26 | 1981-04-07 | Howmedica Inc. | Doppler method of measuring flow |
| US4312238A (en) * | 1979-12-13 | 1982-01-26 | Rey Thomas J | Electro-acoustic flowmeter |
| US4391149A (en) * | 1981-05-15 | 1983-07-05 | Fischer & Porter Company | Doppler-type ultrasonic flowmeter |
| US4913159A (en) * | 1989-03-17 | 1990-04-03 | Hitachi Medial Corp. | Method for determining blood flow through a narrowed orifice using color doppler echocardiography |
| GB9112854D0 (en) * | 1991-06-14 | 1991-07-31 | Skidmore Robert | Flowmeters |
| FR2683046B1 (en) * | 1991-10-25 | 1994-02-04 | Schlumberger Industries | DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE SPEED OF A FLUID. |
| DE4224372C2 (en) * | 1992-07-23 | 1995-02-02 | Kromschroeder Ag G | Ultrasonic gas meter |
| JP3283519B2 (en) * | 1993-01-30 | 2002-05-20 | ゲー．クロムシュローダー アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Flowmeter |
| WO1994020822A1 (en) * | 1993-03-09 | 1994-09-15 | Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation | Fluid meter construction |
| GB2276240B (en) * | 1993-03-16 | 1997-01-15 | British Gas Plc | Fluid flowmeter |
| IT1272370B (en) * | 1993-04-27 | 1997-06-23 | Nuovo Pignone Spa | PERFECTED METER-REGULATOR OF THE FLOW RATE OF A FLUID |
| DE4336370C1 (en) * | 1993-10-25 | 1995-02-02 | Siemens Ag | Device for flow measurement |
| JP3077570B2 (en) * | 1995-09-25 | 2000-08-14 | 横河電機株式会社 | Ultrasonic fluid flow meter |
| KR0170815B1 (en) * | 1996-05-27 | 1999-05-01 | 남상용 | Ultrasonic multi circuit flowmeter |
| IT1311771B1 (en) * | 1999-02-24 | 2002-03-19 | Giorgio Bergamini | PERFECTED GAS FLOW METER WITH ULTRASOUNDS BASED ON PARABOLIC MIRRORS. |
| AUPQ480199A0 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2000-02-03 | AGL Consultancy Pty. Limited | Timed window ultrasonic gas meter with nose cone |
| DE10235032B3 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2004-04-08 | Hydrometer Gmbh | Method for operating an ultrasonic flow meter and corresponding ultrasonic flow meter |
| DE10248593A1 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2004-04-29 | Endress + Hauser Flowtec Ag, Reinach | flowmeter |
| US6895825B1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-05-24 | The Boeing Company | Ultrasonic transducer assembly for monitoring a fluid flowing through a duct |
| JP2006138667A (en) * | 2004-11-10 | 2006-06-01 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ultrasonic flowmeter and fluid leakage detection device |
| WO2007021883A1 (en) * | 2005-08-12 | 2007-02-22 | Celerity, Inc. | Ultrasonic flow sensor |
| JP4702668B2 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2011-06-15 | Ｓｍｃ株式会社 | Flow measuring device |
| US7795783B2 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2010-09-14 | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | Transducer assembly |
| US7911880B2 (en) * | 2007-05-22 | 2011-03-22 | Nortek As | Acoustic doppler dual current profiler system and method |
| US7845240B1 (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2010-12-07 | Elster NV/SA | Device and method for determining a flow characteristic of a fluid in a conduit |
| US8245581B2 (en) * | 2009-12-08 | 2012-08-21 | Cameron International Corporation | Flowmeter and method |
-
2009
- 2009-12-19 US US12/653,913 patent/US8181536B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-11-08 CA CA2922182A patent/CA2922182C/en active Active
- 2010-11-08 BR BR112012014970-9A patent/BR112012014970B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-11-08 CN CN201080057804.5A patent/CN102713529B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-11-08 WO PCT/US2010/055867 patent/WO2011075234A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-08 KR KR1020127018850A patent/KR101870461B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-11-08 EP EP10801290.7A patent/EP2513611B1/en active Active
- 2010-11-08 CA CA2783192A patent/CA2783192C/en active Active
- 2010-12-16 TW TW99144192A patent/TW201142249A/en unknown
-
2012
- 2012-05-02 US US13/462,455 patent/US8590397B2/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US8181536B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 |
| KR101870461B1 (en) | 2018-06-22 |
| WO2011075234A1 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
| US8590397B2 (en) | 2013-11-26 |
| KR20120108001A (en) | 2012-10-04 |
| EP2513611A1 (en) | 2012-10-24 |
| EP2513611B1 (en) | 2021-12-15 |
| BR112012014970B1 (en) | 2021-06-08 |
| CA2783192C (en) | 2016-06-07 |
| TW201142249A (en) | 2011-12-01 |
| CN102713529B (en) | 2016-08-24 |
| CN102713529A (en) | 2012-10-03 |
| US20120216627A1 (en) | 2012-08-30 |
| US20110146414A1 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
| CA2922182A1 (en) | 2011-06-23 |
| BR112012014970A2 (en) | 2020-09-08 |
| CA2922182C (en) | 2016-06-21 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8590397B2 (en) | Ultrasonic flow meter including a transducer having conical face | |
| JP3246851B2 (en) | Ultrasonic flowmeter detector | |
| US6065350A (en) | Flow measurement system with guided signal launched in lowest mode | |
| US3906791A (en) | Area averaging ultrasonic flowmeters | |
| US9528866B2 (en) | Ultrasonic flow measuring device having a signal path of multiple straight subsection having a minimum separation in the range of 0.4-0.6r from the tube axis | |
| CN103575378A (en) | Ultrasonic wedge and method for determining the speed of sound in same | |
| CN102667419A (en) | Flowmeter and method | |
| JPH054005B2 (en) | ||
| EP1742024B1 (en) | Ultrasonic flowmeter with triangular cross section | |
| RU2637381C2 (en) | Ultrasonic waveguide | |
| RU154441U1 (en) | SENSOR FOR ULTRASONIC FLOW METER | |
| EP2657658B1 (en) | Ultrasonic flow measurement system | |
| CN206281534U (en) | A kind of oblique angle reflectance ultrasound low | |
| RU2331851C2 (en) | Ultrasonic flow metre | |
| KR101119998B1 (en) | Clamp-on type Ultrasonic Transducer using a multi-path | |
| CN207215202U (en) | A kind of ultrasonic flowmeter | |
| JP2008026213A (en) | Ultrasonic flowmeter | |
| KR101476534B1 (en) | Ultra sonic Flow measuring Device | |
| CN214200238U (en) | Measuring pipe section structure for ultrasonic gas meter | |
| Vidyarthia et al. | Ultrasonic transit-time flowmeters for pipes: A short review | |
| KR101043344B1 (en) | Manufacturing Method for Clamp-on type Ultrasonic Transducer using a multi-path | |
| WO2017078559A1 (en) | Ultrasonic flow meter sensor | |
| CN117517706A (en) | Processing method for obtaining flow velocity signal by using ultrasonic reflection type flow velocity measuring instrument | |
| JP2005308630A (en) | Ultrasonic vortex flowmeter | |
| JP2003307444A (en) | Ultrasonic transmitter |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20151106 |